The Last Boyscout
When is The Last Boyscout?
The Last Boyscout takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026 in Goreville, IL.
What distances does The Last Boyscout offer?
The Last Boyscout offers 31 events: The Last Boyscout, 1st Yard, 2nd Yard, 3rd Yard, 4th Yard, 5th Yard, 6th Yard, 7th Yard, 8th Yard, 9th Yard, 10th Yard, 11th Yard, 12th Yard, 13th Yard, 14th Yard, 15th Yard, 16th Yard, 17th Yard, 18th Yard, 19th Yard, 20th Yard, 21st Yard, 22nd Yard, 23rd Yard, 24th Yard, 25th Yard, 26th Yard, 27th Yard, 28th Yard, 29th Yard, 30th Yard.
| Event | Distance | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Last Boyscout | 4.167 mi | $85.00 | Register |
| 1st Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 2nd Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 3rd Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 4th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 5th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 6th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 7th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 8th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 9th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 10th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 11th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 12th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 13th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 14th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 15th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 16th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 17th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 18th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 19th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 20th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 21st Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 22nd Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 23rd Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 24th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 25th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 26th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 27th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 28th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 29th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
| 30th Yard | 4.167 mi | $80.00 | Register |
How much does The Last Boyscout cost?
Registration for The Last Boyscout starts at $75.00. Prices vary by event distance.
Where is The Last Boyscout held?
The Last Boyscout is held in Goreville, IL at Ferne Clyffe Dam.
About The Last Boyscout
The Last Boyscout is a Last Man Standing Race that utilizes the Boyscout Trail at Ferne Clyffe State Park. The format of this type of race is simple and designed to reward the tough, not necessarily the fast. All participants will receive a shirt and memorabilia to remember their efforts! Registration is capped at 75 runners. Leaving us some room to add runners later who are truly going for the win!!!
In the 7 years we have had the event, we have reached 100 miles just one time. The course is tough. All you have to do is keep going. Just as return runners dig deep to best last years number, new runners set out to test their toughness. Each year is about resilience and continuing to push against a course that doesn't want you to succeed. While most runners meet or surpassed their goals, a few runners are not ready for the hills on the course. The 600 feet of climbing per loop will creep up on you.
Inspired by the original last person standing race, Big Backyard Ultra, this race follows the same rules. You can find those rules in the rules page.
At 6:40am the race will start. Runners will have 1 hour to complete a 4.167 mile loop. At 7:40am, runners must have finished the previous loop and be in the starting corral to start the next loop or they are eliminated. This will continue until only one runner finishes a loop. That person will be, The Last Boyscout.
THE COURSE: Runners will start the race on the Day Loop. This loop will consist of some single track trail, some jeep road trail, and finishes with a little over a mile on the road. The course is 100% runnable, with a few mildly technical spots and two good hills. With the Boyscout Trail being the steepest hill. If you are not accustomed to trails you will consider this trail to be very technical. The Day Loop has around 600 feet of elevation per loop. The Night Loop will start at 6:40pm and is an out and back course with a north turnaround and a south turnaround. Runners will be required to wear a head lamp and reflective vest during the night. The start/finish area is near the middle of this course. Runners will leave the start/finish area and go North up to the top of the Boyscout Trail, turn around and come back down. Run back towards the start area but stay on the road and run to the south turnaround. After the south turnaround runners will head back to the start/finish area. The night route is 75% paved road. Both courses have the potential for two creek crossing depending on the amount of rainfall. The start/finish area will be the only aid station on the course. It is a covered pavilion right next to the starting corral. The race will provide water, ice, food, and hot food later in the race in this area. Runners should be prepared to be self sufficient and not rely on the aid station. There are pit toilets in the start/finish area and the first 1/4 mile of each loop. Also porta toilets will be available.
THE VENUE: The Last Boyscout is located at the beautiful Ferne Clyffe State Park in the heart of Southern Illinois!! The Start/Finish area is located at the Hillside pavilion. The Park has electric campgrounds as well as primitive campgrounds. The park is located in between Interstate 57 and Interstate 24. Easy to travel to from surrounding states. For more information about the park click this link: Ferne Clyffe State Park. For more information about camping within the park click this link: Camping Info
River to River Runners Club: This race is a River to River Runners Club event. Dedicated to providing quality running events across the Southern Illinois region. Like the River to River Relay, Broken Boulder 10 Mile Trail Race, Fly With The Eagles half marathon, and many other races. For more information about the River to River Runners, click this link: River to River Runners ***Club members will receive $10 off the entry fee!!
Camp/Crew
CAMP/CREW:(Note another picture below with even more amazing details)
!!!! IMPORTANT !!!! The blue line indicates the course starting direction. The purple line indicates the course finish direction. The definitely orange square is the starting corral. The areas outlined in green are the areas runners and crew can set up in. When you finish a loop (you must cross the start/finish line at the end of each loop) you can go directly to your area. If there is something you need, yell at the RD what you want, being nicer to other volunteers would be appreciated though. Regardless, we will try to get you what you want, especially if you let us know in advance. E.g. I would like a cold coke and Oreos after next loop, maybe a grilled cheese!!!!! If you promise to focus on finishing the next loop, I promise to try and take care of you!!! The Pink area is additional area for set up.
Parking
PARKING: Below is a picture with some top level artwork detailing parking locations. The blue line indicates the course start and the purple line indicates the course finish. The red, maybe orange, square is the starting corral. The course starts along the blue line and finishes along the purple line. The light blue squares are parking. If you park anywhere along the course, please note that you can not set up aid outside of the start/finish area. .